Colleagues,
The end August is always bittersweet— with summer coming to a close, but excitement building around the beginning of a new academic year. This fall, in addition to the regular rhythms of the season, there are a number of special occasions and events for the Faculty and important strategic milestones. I will keep you updated on these through my regular monthly emails and other vehicles that will be announced later in the term. In the meantime, I wish all the best for you and your families and friends during these last summer days and in preparation for the academic year ahead.
Over the next month, we have several notable events scheduled:
Fall Orientation: September 4- 10
This year, I am pleased to welcome an incoming class of 622 undergraduate students to AHS. In addition to the various Orientation activities run by the Federation of Students and the Student Success Office, AHS will host a welcome for incoming students followed by a Dean’s Lunch and Ice Cream Blitz on Tuesday September 6. Throughout the week, our new students will participate in a series of additional events hosted by the Faculty, including academic sessions to meet their classmates, academic advisors and members of the AHS community.
Applied Health Sciences (AHS) Expansion Soft Opening: September 21
In anticipation of our grand opening on October 1, we will be offering tours of the new expansion building for the AHS community on Wednesday, September 21. Please join me in the new lecture theatre at 1:30 p.m. for some brief remarks to commemorate the occasion and celebrate the soft opening of our new building by taking a guided tour with faculty, staff and student colleagues. A more formal invitation will be sent out closer to the date.
AHS Corn Roast: September 28
Continuing our annual tradition of heralding in the new academic year with some of the best produce of the season, we will hold the AHS corn roast on Wednesday September 28 at 4 p.m. All faculty, staff and graduate students are invited, and as always, the event is family-friendly. As per the invitation sent out, please RSVP to Ryan McGuinness by September 21 if you plan to attend.
AHS Fun Run and AHS Expansion Grand Opening: October 1
A reminder that registration is now open for the AHS Fun Run on October 1. The date will also mark the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the AHS Expansion building. An invitation to the ribbon cutting will follow closer to the event.
On the topic of the AHS Expansion, contractors are putting the finishing touches on the building—installing glass guards and railings, completing data cabling and applying final coats of paint on the first and second floor stairwells. Everything is on schedule to be completed before the grand opening.
The atrium with temporary wood guards.
Feature wall installation.
In administrative news. Bill McIlroy’s first term as Chair, Department of Kinesiology ends June 30, 2017. As per UW Policy 40, the appointment/reappointment process has been initiated, and I am pleased to announce that a nominating committee has been established and will convene in the fall.
As part of several staffing and roles and responsibilities changes at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA), Mike Sharratt, Richard Hughson and Josie d'Avernas now hold new positions supporting the accelerated growth and success of the organization. Congratulations to all involved. For a full description of these organizational changes, please read the RIA's press release outlining the new roles and responsibilities of Mike, Rich, and Josie, as well as a number of other individuals.
Wishing you all an enjoyable and safe Labour Day weekend. I hope to see you at our important AHS events in September.
All the best,
Jim
James W.E. Rush, PhD
Professor and Dean
Faculty of Applied Health Sciences